June 05, 2012

National Trust for Historic Preservation cites Geneva building as poster-child for endangered U.S. post offices

The National Trust for Historic Preservation on Wednesday will name its annual list of America's 11 most endanagered places and this year--in addition to the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. and a gym where boxing legend Joe Frazier once trained--the list includes historic U.S. post offices, one of which is in west suburban Geneva.

The Washington, D.C.-based Trust is citing the Geneva post office as an example of bureaucratic bungling. Last year, it said in a news release, the deficit-plagued U.S. Postal Service named nearly 4,400 post offices that it planned to consider closing. When legislators and the public complained, according to the Trust, the Postal Service announced it would cut operating hours instead. The shifting positions, the Trust claims, are leaving historic post offices facing an uncertain future.

The "lack of a transparent and uniform national process from the Postal Service--one that follows federal preservation laws when considering disposal of these buildings is needlessly placing the fuutre of many historic post office buildings in doubt," the Trust says.

For an example, it points to Geneva, where it says that "developers interesting in purchasing and rehabbing the town's historic post office abandoned their efforts after several months because they could not get timely or clear answers from Post Service representatives."

Other Midwestern sites listed by the Trust include Theodore Roosevelt's Elkhorn Ranch in Billings County, N.D., and the Village of Zoar, Ohio.

The Trust's news release about this year's entire endangered list follows on the jump:

Washington (June 6, 2012) – The National Trust for Historic Preservation today unveiled its 2012 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places®, an annual list that spotlights important examples of the nation’s architectural, cultural and natural heritage that are at risk of destruction or irreparable damage. More than 230 sites have been on the list over its 25-year history, and in that time, only a handful of listed sites have been lost.

The National Trust’s 25th annual list includes Sweet Auburn in Atlanta, the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., this once-thriving African-American commercial district continues to be threatened by disinvestment; Joe Frazier’s Gym in Philadelphia, longtime training center for the recently deceased boxing legend and U.S. Olympian which is currently for sale and facing an uncertain future; Historic U.S. Post Office Buildings thatare threatened by a haphazard disposition process that is causing willing buyers and developers to walk away; the Village of Zoar in Ohio, a beautifully preserved historic town vulnerable to destruction by flooding if a protective levee is removed; and the Ellis Island Hospital Complex in New York, an important part of the original gateway to America for millions of immigrants that is at risk of deterioration.

“For 25 years, our list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places has called attention to threatened one-of-a-kind historic treasures throughout the nation and has galvanized local preservationists to help save them,” said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “From Ellis Island in New York to Terminal Island in California to the beloved courthouses across the state of Texas, this year’s list reflects the diversity of America, its historic places, and the variety of threats they face. As it has over the past 25 years, we hope this year’s list inspires people to speak out for the important places in their own communities that help to define our nation’s past – and enrich its future.”

"In Texas, our county courthouses tell an important part of our state's history. They are centers of community life, sources of local pride, architectural treasures and in many cases, still functioning as our government buildings," said Mrs. Laura Bush, former First Lady of Texas and the United States and Trustee of the National Trust. "I'm proud of the work George did as Governor, which resulted in the restoration of dozens of courthouses to their former glory. And I'm pleased to see Texas courthouses back on the 11 Most Endangered Places list this year, giving us the extra boost to complete the restoration of these Texas treasures."

Members of the public are invited to learn more about what they can do to support these 11 historic places and hundreds of other endangered sites at www.PreservationNation.org/places.

Bridges of Yosemite Valley, Calif. – A proposed National Park Service management plan for the Merced River, which flows through the heart of Yosemite National Park, would leave three historic Rustic Style bridges in danger of removal—despite their significance to the park’s treasured landscape.

Ellis Island Hospital Complex, New York Harbor, NY and NJ. - Ellis Island was once known as an “Island of Hope” for immigrants who launched new lives in America, but the hospital and support structures on the Island—once comprising the largest U.S. Public Health Service institution in the country—are now dilapidated and threatened by lack of funding.

Historic U.S. Post Office Buildings – From coast to coast, historic American post office buildings are facing uncertain futures. Due to the U.S. Postal Services haphazard disposition process, developers and others interested in purchasing and rehabbing these historic buildings end up walking away after failing to get timely or clear answers from the Postal Service.

Joe Frazier’s Gym, Philadelphia, Pa. – The gym where boxing legend Joe Frazier trained for his victorious bout against Muhammad Ali is currently for sale, unrecognized and unprotected by local or national preservation designations.

Malcolm X-Ella Little-Collins House, Boston, Ma. – Built in 1874, this modest structure is the last known surviving boyhood home of Malcolm X. Largely unused for over 30 years, plans are in development to rehabilitate and reuse the deteriorating property as living quarters for graduate students who are studying African American history, social justice, or civil rights.

Princeton Battlefield, Princeton, N.J. – Princeton Battlefield, the site of a historic battle that was pivotal in changing the tide of the American Revolution, is threatened by a proposed housing development that would adversely impact the historic landscape.

Sweet Auburn Historic District, Atlanta, Ga. Sweet Auburn, a prime example of the flourishing segregated African-American neighborhoods in the South during the Jim Crow era and birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr., faces disinvestment and inappropriate development along its commercial corridor.

Terminal Island, Port of Los Angeles, Calif. – Terminal Island was a major shipbuilding center, the place where America’s tuna canning industry came of age, the site of the forced removal of nearly 3,000 Japanese-Americans residents in 1942, and is now a popular setting for movie and TV productions. This site is threatened by continued neglect due to long-term vacancy of the historic buildings, and a proposed plan that limits reuse of the buildings and, in some cases, calls for their demolition.

Texas Courthouses – Texas’ 244 courthouses serve as important architectural and historical records of the state’s past. Physical deterioration outpaces the availability of public funds necessary for courthouse restoration and revitalization, and competing needs for limited revenue challenge their future.

Theodore Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch, Billings County, N.D. – As Theodore Roosevelt’s home in the North Dakota Badlands, the Elkhorn Ranch inspired his views on conservation. Today it is threatened by a proposed road and bridge that would forever mar the Elkhorn Ranch landscape and stain Roosevelt’s legacy of conservation.

Village of Zoar, Ohio – This 195-year old Village in Northeast Ohio was founded in 1817 by religious separatists fleeing Germany. Remarkably intact, the Village is threatened by the potential removal of a levee that could lead to massive flooding or require demolition of much of the town.

Posted at 11:00:00 PM

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I was sad to see this when I visited not too long ago. There is a nice display case in the lobby with old pictures of Geneva. I hope someone finds a creative use for the building and keeps it intact as much as possible.